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Friday, 25 October 2013

Tripitaka Festival

What is Tripitaka ??Tripitaka is a Sanskrit word meaning Three Baskets. It is the traditional term used by Buddhist traditions to describe their various canons of scriptures.The expression Three Baskets originally referred to three receptacles containing the scrolls on which the Buddhist scriptures were originally preserved.

The festival have began celebrating the Tripitaka Koreana, a priceless collection of Buddhist scripture that is currently housed at Haein Temple in South Gyeongsang Province. It will run until Nov. 9.

The collection was carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century seeking divine intervention to ward off an invasion by the Mongols. It also ranks as the world's most comprehensive and oldest preserved version of Buddhist canon written in Chinese characters. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995.

Surrounded by the towering Mt. Gaya, the temple has served as the home of the Tripitaka Koreana since 1251. Its Janggyeong Panjeon was specifically built in the 15th century to store the woodblocks, given the beneficial effect of its natural surroundings in helping preserve them. It faces southwest to avoid the damp southeasterly winds from the valley below, while the cold north wind is blocked by the mountain peaks. Meanwhile, differently sized windows on the northern and southern sides provide adequate ventilation.

During the festival, a rock carving of the Buddha will also be unveiled to the public for the first time in 1,200 years.

Near the temple is a six-km road that includes a Buddhist-themed path running beside a mountain stream. The colorful fall foliage adds to its beauty during the fall.

Various pieces of art relating to the Tripitaka Koreana line the path, inspired by the works of artists who spent months meditating at the temple.

Apart from exhibiting some of the oldest wooden blocks, the festival includes a movie theater featuring advanced technology and special effects, and an exhibition about the history of the Koryo Dynasty, which governed the country when the Tripitaka Koreana was created. In addition to historical relics, the main exhibition hall details how the wooden blocks were made and preserved.

Those who purchase tickets can also enjoy discounted meals and accommodation, as well as special promotional prices for local baseball games. Tickets cost W10,000 for adults.For more details access its website at www.tripitaka-festival.com.

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Guys Keep on Voting for Viru for the buzz of the Year N win a round trip ticket to Korea N Awesome cool goodies backpack or a Korean Beauty Kit Hurry up it now or never hope to see you who have voted for me in Korea :)

Monday, 21 October 2013

Hello friends around the world lets check out some Korean traditional instruments used in the traditional music N its try to go back in time to learn some history of it.

Samul nori

It is a genre of traditional percussion music originating in Korea. The word samul means "four objects" and nori means "play"; samul nori is performed with four traditional Korean musical instruments:

1- Kkwaenggwari (a small gong)The kkwaenggwari is a small flat gong used primarily in folk music of Korea. It is made of brass and is played with a hard stick. It produces a distinctively high-pitched, metallic tone that breaks into a cymbal-like crashing timbre when struck forcefully.

2-Jing (a larger gong)

The jing is a large gong used in traditional Korean music, particularly in samul nori, pungmul, and daechwita. Usually made from brass, it is struck by a hammer that is layered with soft cloth to smoothed the texture of the sound produced. It is typically played at the onset of ceremonies and special occasions. It is struck with a large, padded stick and drops in pitch slightly when struck firmly.

Janggu (an hourglass-shaped drum)

The janggu (or janggo; also spelled changgo) or sometimes called seyogo (slim waist drum) is the most widely used drum used in the traditional music of Korea. It is available in most kinds, and consists of an hourglass-shaped body with two heads made from animal skin. The two heads produce sounds of different pitch and timbre, which when played together are believed to represent the harmony of man and woman.

Buk (a barrel drum similar to the bass drum)

The buk is a traditional Koreandrum. While the term buk is a native Korean word used as a generic term meaning "drum" (the Sino-Korean word being go), it is most often used to refer to a shallow barrel-shaped drum, with a round wooden body that is covered on both ends with animal skin.Buk are categorized as hyeokbu which are instruments made with leather, and has been used for jeongak (Korean court music) and folk music

Samul nori has its roots in nong-ak (literally "farmers' music"), a Korean folk genre comprising music, acrobatics, folk dance, and rituals, which was traditionally performed in rice farming villages in order to ensure and to celebrate good harvests. Specifically, samul nori music derives from utdari pungmul (the gut, or shaman ceremony rhythm of the Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong provinces of South Korea), as well as the genres of Yeongnam folk music and Honam udo gut, combined with more contemporary improvisations, elaborations, and compositions.Such nong-ak is steeped in traditional animism and shamanism, but also shows influences from Korean Buddhism. While nong-ak often features the use of wind instruments, Samul nori only features the aforementioned four percussion instruments.The traditional Korean instruments are called pungmul.

Nong-ak

Each of the four instruments represents a different weather condition: the janggu represents rain, the kkwaenggwari thunder, the jingthe sounds of the wind, and the buk clouds. The idea of yin and yang is also reflected in these instruments: the buk and janggu(leather) represent the sounds of the earth, while the jing and kkwaenggwari (metal) represent sounds of the heavens. Although generally performed indoors, as a staged genre, samul nori depicts the traditional Korean culture, an agricultural society rooted in the natural environment.Samul nori is characterized by strong, accented rhythms, vibrant body movements, and an energetic spirit.

Samul nori has gained international popularity, with many samul nori bands and camps worldwide. Since the 1980s in South Korea, there has been a marked increase in the amount of fusion music, combining samul nori and Western instruments.Samul nori is also extensively used in the Korean musical ""Nanta"".

Sunday, 20 October 2013

What is made of earth, shaped by water, and hardened in fire? The answer of course is ceramics.At the 7th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, which runs from September 28 until November 17, 2013 at Icheon Cerapia, Gwangju Gonjiam Ceramic Park, and Yeoju Dojasesang, you can experience some of the finest ceramic artwork at one of the leading international festivals of its kind.

Under the theme “With Me, With You, With Us,” the Biennale will illustrate how art andculturehave developed through exchange and collaboration among local communities during the development of modern civilization. The event will also emphasize exchange and collaboration rather than competition between people, between societies, and between people and societies. The theme aims to appeal to inhabitants of the contemporary world of unbridled materialism and flood of digital media.

With the goal of dissolving invisible boundaries and healing social alienation through ceramics, the festival will feature ‘Time of Reflection’ (Healing Wounds), ‘Time of Experience’ and ‘Time of Sharing.’

Already in its 7th year, the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale is has gained an international reputation for its consistently new and interesting exhibits. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this year’s Biennale.Special Exhibitions1. GICB International Prize 2013Under the theme “Community – With Me, With You, With Us,” the exhibition features 27 artists (ceramists, sculptors, painters, installation artists, etc.) from 18 countries, who are showcasing 51 new artworks at the festival. The theme’s meaning is developed and examined by the participation of artists from diverse locations, cultures and races. Visitors can also gain an insight to the current state of the ceramics world and learn about trends in modern ceramics.

2. Hot RookiesUnder the theme “Paradoxical Aesthetics,” this special exhibition will feature 87 works of art by 20 artists from 8 countries — Korea, China, Turkey, United States, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland. The exhibition aims to showcase up-and-coming artists and give them an opportunity to grow as international artists. The featured artists were selected through an on-line open entry process.

3. ‘Bounce! Bounce! Beating Heart!’ – The National Ceramic Competition for the DisabledThis exhibition features 71 exhibits by disabled ceramics artists, which reflect their experiences and emotions. The exhibition is a meaningful space that helps visitors to understand and communicate with the artists.

Workshop Programs1. International Ceramic WorkshopThis international education program aims to bridge the gap between traditional and modern, East and West, and different generations, regions and genres. It consists of three sessions:Session 1 is a meeting of mentors and mentees. On October 2–21, ceramic masters from around the world will attend the session as mentors to give talks on their art and future endeavors to aspiring artists from Korea and abroad. Korean traditional ceramic masters will then mentor overseas artists in the traditional beauty of Korean ceramics October 28 to November 10.Session 2 features special talks and demonstrations.Session 3 is a workshop event that includes a dinner party, a tea ceremony, an artist food event, the academy of Buddhist temple cuisine, and various other colorful events.2. Clay Workshop – “Healing Camp’”This workshop analyzes participants’ traumas and helps to resolve them through the hands-on experience of working with clay ceramics.Whether you need healing or not, the 7th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale is festival well worth experiencing. So why not consider enjoying some ceramic art when you come to Korea?

Monday, 14 October 2013

Hello Friend's Around The World.Museum's are The Best Place To Know Better About Any Country's Traditions,Culture N History.Here in Korea Many Tourist's Visit's The National Museum of Korea But apart from it there are many other museum's which are must on the List of Visit !!

This is entrance of this Hermes Museum has a distinctive atmosphere. A streamlined wall colored by light blue and be decorated with various frames of Hermes brand image.

This is Pillar of Art it has a dreamy look that will awe you with style. The gallery is full of pillars that have their own shapes and thicknesses.

2- Owl Craft & Art Museum In Jongno-gu Bukchon-ro.

If you are an owl lover or enjoy seeing handcrafted pieces of art, the Owl Museum is the place for you. This owl themed museum is filled with pieces of art, crafts, useful household items and accessories. The items here come from over 70 countries including China, the United States, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Over 2000 pieces can be found right under one roof.

Owl themed folding screens, dishes, vases, sculptures, and even owl stamps are among the diverse selection on display here. When people think of an owl museum, an image of a stuffed owl usually pops into their heads. No stuffed owls can be found at this museum. It is full of many unique items. The Owl Museum was originally a private residence. The structure was remodeled and made into a museum, but managed to keep its original charm. The owner’s second son, who majored in design, chose owl wallpaper to add to the unique atmosphere. Visitors to the museum are treated to a free, tasty cup of tea.

3- Seoul Museum of Chicken Art In Bukchon.Seoul Museum of Chicken Art is a private museum displaying international and domestic collections that have a chicken theme. The museum features exhibits which focus on chickens in terms of cultural aspects in relation to people and society. At this unique museum visitors can appreciate a varied selection of artworks, including international pieces, expressing ideas about the chicken.

The special exhibition hall features 1,000 exhibits on Korea's traditional concept of the chicken, including paintings, arts and crafts, furniture, pottery and accessories. Through the special exhibition, visitors can appreciate many works of world-renowned artists, such as the late Lee Eung-ro (1904-1989), who painted “Chicken” in an ink-and-wash painting, using a linear perspective technique called collage. The exhibition also showcases various genuine antiques including a wooden chicken statue belonging to the parents of Empress Myeongseong. After the tour, visitors can enjoy a relaxed tea time in the museum café on the first floor with such interesting decor as chicken-character tea cups, spoons and even paintings on the walls of the museum.

4- The Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum In Dongdaemun-gu.

The Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum was established in 2006 to introduce people to the excellent effectiveness of Korean oriental medicine, and to preserve and pass on its history and culture. Fittingly, the museum is located across from the Seoul Yangnyeong Market, one of the most famous oriental medicine markets in Korea from which approximately 70% of the nation's oriental medicine is distributed.

Opened on September 13, 2006, the museum boasts a wide assortment of items: 500 pieces of equipment used by practitioners of herbal medicine, 420 artifacts related to the field of oriental medicine, and about 350 herbal medicinal items. A large number of antique books related to herbal medicine are also on exhibit at the museum, helping visitors unfamiliar to the practice gain an overall understanding of what effect each herb or technique has and how each is used when treating patients. The main hall of the museum features several sections such as the "The History and Culture of Korean Oriental Medicine", "Korean Oriental Medicine and the Human Body", "Medicinal Herb Village Story", "A Prescription for Harmony", "Korean Oriental Medicine Experience Corner for Children" and "The History and Traditions of Seoul Yangnyeongsi". Visitors can also relax while having a cup of Korean oriental medicine tea at the "Korean Oriental Medicine Cultural Center" and find out how healthy they really are at the "Korean Oriental Medicine Experience Room".5. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art In Yongsan-gu.The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is the perfect place to enjoy traditional and contemporary art created by Korean and international artists. Most of the exhibits on display at the museum are based on the large collection of the founder, the late Lee Byeong-cheol, once president of the Samsung Group. Three world-renowned architects, Maria Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas, were commissioned to design the outstanding museum complex. The name Leeum is the acronym of the family name of its founder, “Lee” and an abbreviated word for museum, “um”. The museum is composed of three individual buildings linked together as a composite complex. Museum 1 showcases traditional Korean arts and crafts such as calligraphy, ceramic arts and metal craft work, while Museum 2 displays dynamic modern and contemporary art by domestic and international artists, this section includes the Samsung Child Education & Cultural Center which offers cultural education for children.

You can't carry any sort of bag (of any shape) into the special exhibit, but thankfully cameras are allowed.The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art is located nearby Hangangjin station. Get out exit 1 and follow the signs, while taking a right and going up a hill. You'll notice your in the right place if you see these sculptures by, Louise Bourgeois.

Wednesday, 9 October 2013

If there were one destination that could boast of offering the world to its visitors it wouldhave to be South Korea. It is the only destination in North East Asia where one can witness four distinct seasons – summer, autumn, Spring and Winter. From sightseeing at beautifullocales and heritage sights, and enjoying the thrill of adventure sports and amusement parks and shopping, there’s something for everyone.

South Korea is one of the top destinations for family holidays. With amusement parks such as Lotte World, Seoul Land and Everland - travelers both young and old will never experiencea dull moment. While Lotte World comprises Adventure Park and Magic Island, Everland has much more to offer with a number of thrilling rides, a botanical garden and ice skating ring.

Other Tourist attraction such as Banpo Bridge,N-Seoul Tower,Five Palaces in Seoul are Deoksugung,Unhyeongung,Gyeonghuigung & Changgyeonggung & One of the most beautiful Jeju Island.

Besides, the nation has emerged as one of the top MICE destinations in the world. Years ofrapid economic development have propelled the country into becoming the world’s 12thlargest trading partner.World-class infrastructure, a wide range of facilities for events,meeting, conventions, conferences and exhibitions of all types and sizes and the wide varietyof IT and electronicproducts only make South Korea that much more of a preferred choicefor a MICE planner.

Another major reason behind the popularity of South Korea is its accessibility. More than 70international airlines fly into Korea’s 8 international airports from over 170 cities. Incheon isKorea’s largest airport & for 7 years in a row from 2005-2012 awarded as the world's bestairport . Korea’s domestic flight network is connected across 15 cities and is operated by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Besides, the railway network across the nation has been enhanced by introduction of the Korea Train Express, a high-speed train that connects allmajor cities within a two-hour range, although passenger trains operated by KORAIL are still frequently used.

South Korea is a paradise for shoppers with the plethora of department stores, shoppingdistricts, outdoor markets and shopping arcades. Seoul’s major markets such as Namdaemun& Dongdaemun markets are open throughout the night and offer some fantastic deals.We would not want to miss out on the world’s largest department store located in Busan & recognised by the Guinness World Records. Gangnam-Gu were we can buy the latest trendyitems from Hallyu / K-pop .

Korean cuisine,especially Kimchi and Bulgogi are two of the dishes that one should notmiss it when in Korea. Other popular Korean dishes include Bibimbap (a mixture of boiled rice,vegetables, egg and Korean chilli paste) , Doenjand Jjigae (a thick soup eaten with rice &prepared using fermented bean paste and vegetables), the summer staple Naengmyeon(chewy noodles in a cold broth) and Samgyetang(stewed while chicken stuffed with rice & ginseng).Those who are fitness-conscious will also be able to indulge in Korean meals which are known to be nutritiously balanced and low in fat.

Gimbap

Kimchi

Accommodation will never be an issue during your South Korean holiday. If luxury is whatyou are looking for then the host of modern and well-equipped hotels in all major cities & tourist destinations will take care of your every need. Facilities in most of these hotels include one or more bars and cocktail lounges, restaurants, swimming pools, game rooms & laundries. Perfect for the business traveller as well as for those travelling with the children, hotels with the trademark “Good Stay” offer a reliable, clean and affordable option & are also authorized by the Korea Tourism Organization.

Who could forget to mention the world hit which make everyone go "Gangnam Style" by"PSY".K-POP has taken the world like a Storm with its amazing dance moves & catchy songs to which no one could resist to tap their feet's.Some of my favorite groups areGirl's Generation,T-ara,2NE1,KARA,Miss A,Crayon pop & many more...

Indeed, South Korea represents the perfect amalgamation of elements from modernization & traditional that make up the ideal holiday destination.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Hello Friends 9th of October is celebrated as Hangeul Day in Korea so let's learn the history of Hangeul.

The alphabet itself is thought to have been created by ‘The Hall of Worthies’. This ‘Hall of Worthies’ was made up of a group of scholars who had been selected by King Sejong because of their talents and minds. The project to create this new alphabet was completed late 1443 to early 1444. In 1446, a document called the Hunmin Jeongeum, or ‘The Proper Sounds for the Education of the People’, was published, explaining the designs of the alphabet. This document was published on the 9th October, hence Hangeul day!

Koreans use their own unique alphabet called Hangeul. It is considered to be one of the most efficient alphabets in the world and has garnered unanimous praise from language experts for its scientific design and excellence.

Hangeul was created under King Sejong during the Choson Dynasty (1393-1910). in 1446, the first Korean alphabet was proclaimed under the original name Hunmin chong-um, which literally meant "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people."

King Sejong, the creator of Hangul, is considered to be one of the greatest rulers in the history of Korea. Highly respected for his benevolent disposition and diligence, King Sejong was also a passionate scholar whose knowledge and natural talent in all fields of study astounded even the most learned experts.

During his reign, King Sejong always deplored the fact that the common people, ignorant of the complicated Chinese characters that were being used by the educated, were not able to read and write. He understood their frustration in not being able to read or to communicate their thoughts and feelings in written words.

The Chinese script was used by the intelligentsia of the country, but being of foreign origin, it could not fully express the words and meaning of Korean thoughts and spoken language. Therefore, common people with legitimate complaints had no way of submitting their grievances to the appropriate authorities, other than through oral communication, and they had no way to record for posterity the agricultural wisdom and knowledge they had gained through years of experience.King Sejong felt great sympathy for the people. As a revolutionary ruler strongly dedicated to national identity and cultural independence, he immediately searched for solutions. What he envisioned was a set of letters that was uniquely Korean and easily learn able rendering it accessible and usable for the common people.

When first proclaimed by King Sejong, Hunmin chong-um had 28 letters in all, of which only 24 are in use today.

A Korean syllable is divided into three parts: Ch'osong (initial consonant), chungsong (peak vowel), and chongsong (final consonant). This is the basic framework that King Sejong and the Chiphyonjon scholars adhered to when creating the letters. Chongsong was not separately created and was a repetition of the ch'osong. Therefore, Hangeul is the consonants and vowels.Korean script is written from left to right, horizontally, which is another similarity with our own alphabet. The big difference is the fact that Hangeul is written in syllable blocks rather than one letter following another, like in our alphabet system. For example, ‘Hangeul’ in Hangeul is 한글. This is two syllables made up of ‘han’ 한 and ‘gul’ 글, where the first syllable is comprised of ᄒ/h,ᅡ/a and ᄂ/n, and the second is made up of ᄀ/g, ᅳ/eu and ᄅ/l. The chart on the left shows the vowels and consonants and then the combinations in which they can be combined to form syllable blocks.

The Korean language has a well-developed and expansive vocabulary, and therefore, it is very difficult to express fully in foreign letter.

Because of its simplicity and the rather small number of letters, Hangeul is very easy to learn even by children and foreigners.

It is no coincidence that by the time they reach the age of two or three, most Korean children are already capable of expressing their feelings and thoughts, albeit in primitive form. By the time they reach school age, most exhibit mastery of Hangul, which is indeed a rare phenomena throughout the world. This fact clearly attests to the easy learnability and accessibility of the Korean alphabet.

Throughout history, Hangul has been at the root of the Korean culture, helping to preserve its national identity and independence.

Illiteracy is virtually nonexistent in Korea. This is another fact that attests to the easy learn-ability of Hangeul. It is not uncommon for a foreigner to gain a working knowledge of Hangeul after one or two hours of intensive studying. In addition, because of its scientific design, Hangeul lends itself to easy mechanization. In this age of computers many people now are able to incorporate computers into their lives without difficulties, thanks to a large number of programs written in Hangeul.So, if you’re ever in Seoul, don’t forget to pay your respects to the man himself and visit the MASSIVE statue of Sejong the Great, between Cheonggyecheon and King Sejong’s home Gyeongbokgung Palace. The alphabet is even engraved onto it as a reminder of his amazing contributions to the nation. We can even spot the few characters that are no longer in use. So on this Hangeul day, lets all take a moment to remember the brilliance of King Sejong, SEJONG THE GREAT!